The helicopter pilot said the £30 laser pen made him temporarily blind and unable to see instruments because the cockpit was flooded with light. The helicopter suffered a previous dazzle attack earlier in the evening.

The judge said the sentencing included a deterrent and Bottomley needed to "get out of this stupidity phase", the BBC reports.

There have been several similar attacks this year. In New South Wales, Australia, which has seen attacks on passenger aircraft, the pointers have been classified as deadly weapons and will require a permit as if they were firearms. ®